Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’ve been spending some late nights at the State Capitol recently, and it looks like tonight is going to be another one. Here’s an update on what we’ve been working on, as well as a reminder for our upcoming Listening Session.
Highway 36 & Manning Avenue Interchange
With the recent opening of the St. Croix River Crossing, Highway 36 is under pressure to efficiently move large volumes of regional traffic, which is why I’m working hard to secure funding for the Highway 36 and Manning Avenue Interchange. This is a bipartisan, bicameral project, and I am proud to be the chief author of this bill.
Developers have plans for significant future development that will generate more than 25,000 trips through the intersection. This project would improve access to neighborhoods and businesses, provide non-motorized access with trails, accommodate local road connectivity, and encourage future growth. You can read Washington County’s study on the project here.
Equal Rights Amendment
We’ll be taking a very important vote on the House floor today on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). This legislation would propose a constitutional amendment that would prohibit denial of equality in the law on the basis of gender, or simply, it puts equal rights for women in Minnesota’s Constitution. Because it’s a constitutional amendment, should it pass the House and Senate, it would then be a ballot measure during the 2020 elections, meaning you would decide if it’s put into law.
I believe that everyone should have full equality under our Constitution, and that assumed equality is not enough. I’m proud to cast my vote in favor of this bill today. You can read more about the ERA and its history here.
Listening Session
Our first Listening Session is coming up! I’ll be joined by Majority Leader Ryan Winkler on Saturday, March 16, from 10:30am-12pm. We’ll be meeting in the Margaret Rivers B Room at the Stillwater Public Library, and we’ll be ready to discuss a whole host of issues. I hope to see you there!
Stay In Touch
Please reach out to me with your questions or comments on the legislative process at (651) 296-4244, rep.shelly.christensen@house.mn, or like my Facebook page. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Shelly Christensen |
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